Former Dallas Cowboys quarterback Troy Aikman is facing criticism for his 2019 tweet that dismissed Patrick Mahomes’ impressive stats. Mahomes, the Kansas City Chiefs star, has now won three Super Bowls in five years, including two in a row.
Mahomes leads Chiefs to another comeback win
The Chiefs defeated the San Francisco 49ers 25-22 in overtime in Super Bowl LVIII at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas on Sunday. Mahomes threw for 287 yards and two touchdowns, including the game-winning score to Mecole Hardman in the extra period. He also ran for 54 yards and a touchdown, earning his second consecutive Super Bowl MVP award.
The Chiefs trailed 19-9 in the fourth quarter, but Mahomes engineered a comeback with two touchdown drives in the final six minutes. He connected with Tyreek Hill for a 64-yard score and then found Travis Kelce for a two-point conversion to tie the game at 19-19. The Chiefs defense forced a three-and-out, giving Mahomes the ball back with 1:48 left. He drove the Chiefs to the 49ers’ 25-yard line, setting up Harrison Butker’s 42-yard field goal to send the game to overtime.
In overtime, the Chiefs won the coin toss and elected to receive. Mahomes wasted no time, completing four passes for 75 yards, capped by a 15-yard touchdown to Hardman. The 49ers never got a chance to touch the ball in overtime, as the Chiefs celebrated their third Super Bowl title in franchise history.
Aikman’s tweet resurfaces after Mahomes’ historic feat
Mahomes’ performance in Super Bowl LVIII added to his already impressive resume. He has thrown for 18,638 yards and 160 touchdowns in his five-year career, with a passer rating of 108.7. He has also won three AFC championships, three Super Bowl rings, and two Super Bowl MVPs. He is the first player in NFL history to win three Super Bowls before turning 29.
However, not everyone was impressed by Mahomes’ numbers. In 2019, The Athletic tweeted a graphic that showed Mahomes had thrown 36 percent of Aikman’s career touchdowns in just 8 percent of the games. Aikman, who played 12 seasons for the Cowboys and won three Super Bowls, responded to the tweet by saying, “iCYMI: Talk to me when when he has 33% of my Super Bowl Titles.”
Aikman’s tweet resurfaced after Mahomes won his third Super Bowl on Sunday, drawing ridicule from NFL fans and analysts. Many pointed out that Mahomes had matched Aikman’s Super Bowl titles in less than half the time, and that he had surpassed Aikman’s career touchdown passes (165) in 2020. Some also argued that Mahomes had faced tougher competition and rules than Aikman, who played in a more run-oriented and defensive era.
Aikman has not commented on his tweet since Mahomes’ latest Super Bowl win. He did, however, praise Mahomes and Chiefs head coach Andy Reid in a radio interview in 2019, saying that Mahomes was “phenomenal” and that his tweet was “tongue-in-cheek”.
Chiefs cement their dynasty status with third Super Bowl in five years
The Chiefs have established themselves as one of the most dominant teams in NFL history, winning three Super Bowls in five years, including two in a row. They are the fourth team to accomplish this feat, joining the Pittsburgh Steelers, the Dallas Cowboys, and the New England Patriots (twice).
The Chiefs have been led by Mahomes, who has been the face of the franchise since he took over as the starter in 2018. He has been supported by a talented and explosive offense, featuring Hill, Kelce, Hardman, and running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire. The Chiefs have also improved their defense over the years, adding players like Frank Clark, Tyrann Mathieu, Chris Jones, and L’Jarius Sneed.
The Chiefs have also benefited from the leadership and creativity of Reid, who has been the head coach since 2013. Reid has been praised for his offensive schemes, his clock management, and his ability to develop quarterbacks. He has won 102 regular-season games and eight playoff games with the Chiefs, including three AFC titles and three Super Bowls. He is the only coach in NFL history to win back-to-back Super Bowls with different teams, having done so with the Philadelphia Eagles in 2004 and 2005.
The Chiefs have shown no signs of slowing down, as they have most of their core players under contract for the foreseeable future. Mahomes signed a 10-year, $450 million extension in 2020, making him the highest-paid player in NFL history. Hill, Kelce, Clark, Mathieu, and Jones are also locked up for at least three more years. The Chiefs have also drafted well, adding young talent like Edwards-Helaire, Sneed, and Nick Bolton.
The Chiefs have set their sights on winning more Super Bowls and creating a lasting legacy in the NFL. Mahomes said after the game that he wants to keep improving and winning championships. Reid said that he is not satisfied with three Super Bowls and that he wants to keep working hard. The Chiefs have proven that they are a force to be reckoned with, and that they have the potential to become one of the greatest dynasties of all time.
